Processes for preparing 16alpha, 17alpha-acetals and ketals of 16alpha, 17alpha, 21-trihydroxy-delta4-pregnene-3, 20-diones



United, States Patent Ofitice 3,357,974 Patented Dec. 12, 1967 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The invention herein is concerned generally with novel processes for the preparation of 16a,17a-acetals and the ketals of l6a,l7a,21-trihydroxy-A -pregnene-3,20-dione steroids which may be oxygenated on the C-11 carbon atom and may have a fluorine atom on the -9 carbon atom and the C-11 carbon atom is oxygenated and may also have an a-fluorine atom or an a-methyl group on the C6 carbon atom, by reacting the corresponding 1,4- pregnadiene steroid, in which the 21-hydroxy substituent is protected by conversion to a tetrahydropyranyl-oxy substituent, with lithium in liquid ammonia thereby selectively reducing the A -unsaturated linkage and cleaving the tetrahydropranyl ether linkage on the 0-21 carbon atom of the 1,2-dihydro steroid by treatment with a methanolic solution of a strong acid.

The resulting n -steroid compounds produced by this novel method may be structurally represented as follows:

wherein R is a hydrogen atom or a tetrahydropyranyl group, X is a hydrogen or fluorine atom, Y is a hydrogen or fluorine atom, or a methyl group, Z is a methylene, fl-hydroxy methylene, or carbonyl group, X being hydrogen when Z is a methylene group and P and Q are each a hydrogen atom, or an alkyl or aryl group, or together with the carbon to which they are adjoined P and Q are a cycloalkyl group.

Among the steroids which may be prepared according to the process of this invention are the 16a,17 x-acetals and ketals of the following:

1 1/3,16a,17a,21-tetrahydroxy-4-pregnene-3,ZO-dione;

6 oc-fillOIO-l 15,16a,17a,21-tetrahydroxy-4-pregnene- 3,2 O-dione;

6u-methyl-1 1p,16a,17a,21-tetrahydroxy-4-pregnene- 3,20-dione;

9OC-fluOrO-1 1,6,16a,170,21-tetrahydroxy-4-pregnenee 3,20-dione;

6a-methyl-9a-fluoro-1 1,6,16a,17a,21-tetrahydroxy-4- pregnene-3,20-dione;

16a,17u,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,11,20-trione;

6a-fluoro-16u,17a,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,11,20-

trione;

6a-methyl16a,1701,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,l 1,20

trione;

9a-fluoro-16u,1711,2l-trihydroxy-4-pregnene-3, 1 1,20-

trione;

6ct-methyl-9a-fiuoro-16oc,170:,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnene- 3,11,20-trione;

16a,170:,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,ZO-dione;

6a-fluoro-16u,17a,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione;

6a-methyl-16a,1701,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20=dione.

The compounds prepared according to the novel process of this invention have utility in the preparation of 16-oxygenated-4-pregnene-(3,2-c) pyrazoles described in US. Patent .No. 3,072,640, January 8, 1963, which compounds possess high anti-inflammatory activity and are especially effective for the treatment of arthritis and related diseases since they can be administered for their cortisone-like action in low dosage thereby minimizing undesirable side effects.

The starting materials for the novel process of this invention are l6oc,l7oL-3.C6talS and ketals of l6oc,l7oc,2ltrihydroxy-l,4-pregnadien-3,20-dione steroids which may be oxygenated on the C-ll carbon atom and may have a fluorine atom'on the C-9 carbon atom if the C-11 carbon atom is oxygenated, and may also have an u-fiuorine atom or an a-methyl group on the (1-6 carbon atom, which may be chemically represented by the following formula:

CHzOR wherein R is a tetrahydropyranyl group, and X, Y, Z, and Q have the same significance as above,

The starting materials may be prepared by etherification of the corresponding ZI-hydroxy steroids by conventional methods of forming ethers. In particular, a ZI-tetrahydropyranyloxy steroid may be prepared by adding the steroid to freshly distilled 2,3-dihydropyran and adding a few drops of concentrated hydrochloric acid to the suspension with stirring. The mixture is allowed to stand with stirring until the steroid is in solution and mixing is continued thereafter for two to three hours. The solution is then concentrated under reduced pressure to a viscous liquid. The residual viscous liquid is poured into cold petroleum ether with stirring and the precipitate of ZI-tetrahydropyranyloxy steroid which forms may be crystallized from a suitable solvent such as ethyl acetate, aqueous acetone, aqueous methanol, or a mixture of chloroform and petroleum ether.

The novel method of this invention relates to the reduction of the n -bond of a compound coming within the scope of the starting materials as defined above. Reduction is accomplished by the use of lithium in liquid ammonia. Heretofore, a steroid to be reduced by lithium in liquid ammonia has been conventionally added to a solution of lithium in liquid ammonia. I have now discovered that the selective reduction of a A -bond in the presence of a M-bond in a steroid of the class defined above as starting materials may be more readily accomplished and with a higher yield of reduction product if a solution of the steroid in a suitable solvent, such as tetrahydrofuran,

is added to liquid ammonia and the lithium is added portion-wise to the liquid ammonia-steroid solution. The A -bond is selectively reduced by the above method. The reduction is stopped by the gradual addition of granulated ammonium chloride until the blue color of the reaction mixture disappears. The reduction product may be conveniently isolated by allowing the ammonia to evaporate, adding water, extracting the mixture with a solvent, such as a mixture of equal volumes of benzene and ether, drying the extract over magnesium sulfate, filtering, and concentrating to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue is the reduction product and may be purified by any suitable means, such as chromatography on neutral alumina or crystallization from a suitable solvent, such as methanol.

The ether linkage between the 2l-carbon atom and the tetrahydropyranyl group of the reduced steroid may be split and result in a hydroxy group on the 2l-carbon atom by the use of a strong mineral acid, such as concentrated hydrochloric, sulfuric or phosphoric acid. This reaction is conveniently accomplished by maintaining a solution of the ZI-tetrahydropyranyl ether steroid in methanol containing concentrated mineral acid, preferably concentrated hydrochloric acid, at a temperature of from about to 50 C., preferably about 25 C. The 21-hydroxy steroid may be conveniently isolated by neutraliz ing the reaction mixture with potassium bicarbonate, removing most of the solvent by concentration under reduced pressure, adding water to the concentrated residue and extracting with a suitable solvent, such as ethyl acetate. The extract is washed with saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue of 21-hydroxy steroid may be purified by crystallization from a suitable solvent such as a mixture of ether and acetone and by chromatography on silica gel.

The following examples illustrate methods of carrying out the present invention, but it is to be understood that these example are given for purposes of illustration and not of limitation.

EXAMPLE 1 Qa-fluoro-l 15160:, 1 7 oz, 21-tetrahydroxyl-pregnene- 3,20-di0ne 16a,17a-acetonide A solution of 1 g. of 9a-fluO1O-llB,l6a,17oc-trihyd10Xy 1,4-pregnadiene-21-tetrahydropyranyloxy-3,20-dione 16a, l7oc-acet0nide in 15 ml. of dry tetrahydrofuran is added to 80 ml. of liquid ammonia which is maintained at a temperature of from -40 C. to 50 C. The mixture is stirred and mg. of lithium ribbon is added followed by the addition of a second 10 mg. portion of lithium ribbon after 2 minutes. Three minutes after the addition of the second portion of lithium ribbon, granulated ammonium chloride is added until the blue color of the reaction mixture disappears. The ammonia is allowed to evaporate and 50 ml. of water are added. The diluted reaction mixture is extracted with an extraction solvent composed of equal amounts by volume of benzene and ether. The extract is dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure. 770 milligrams of crude 9u-fluoro-115,160,l7m-trihydroxy-4-preg nene 21 tetrahydropyranyloxy 3,20 dione 16,17aacetonide are obtained.

A solution of the crude 9a-fill0IO-11fi,l6oc,17oc-trihydroxy 4 pregnene 21 tetrahydropyranyloxy 3,20- dione 16:1,l7a-21C6t011id8 in 30 ml. of methanol containing 0.3 ml. of concentrated hydrochloric acid is kept at a temperature of 25 C. for 90 minutes. Solid potassium bicarbonate is added in an amount suificient to neutralize the reaction mixture and the neutralized reaction mixture is concentrated almost to dryness by distilling off the methanol under reduced pressure. 50 milliliters of Water are added to the residue and the mixture is extracted with 4 ethyl acetate. The extract is washed with saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue of 9u-fiuoro-1l,B,16u,17a,21-tetrahydroXy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione 16a,17u-acetonide is crystallized from a solvent composed of 90% ether and 10% acetone. 285 milligrams of crystalline product are obtained. The product remaining in the mother liquor is purified by chromatography on silica gel plates using chloroform containing 2% methanol as a developing solvent. The band containing the product is removed from the silica gel plate and triturated with acetone. The tree tone solution is filtered and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue of 9u-fluoro-11B,16u,17a, 21-tetrahydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione 16a,1,7oc-acetonide is crystallized from ether containing about 10% acetone.

EXAMPLE 2 6 a,9a-difluoro-1 1 [3,1 6 oc,] 7a,21 -tetrahydroxy-4-pregnene- 3,20-di0ne 1 6a,] 7m-acetonide A solution of 1 g. of 6a,9a-difluoro-l1p,16a,17a-trihydroxy 1,4 pregnadiene 21 tetrahydropyranyloxy- 3,20-dione 16a,17a-acetonide in 15 ml. of dry tetrahydrofuran is added to ml. of liquid ammonia which is maintained at a temperature of from -40 C. to -50 C. The mixture is stirred and 10 mg. of lithium ribbon is added followed by the addition of a second 10 mg. portion of lithium ribbon after 2 minutes. Three minutes after the addition of the second portion of lithium ribbon, granulated ammonium chloride is added until the blue color of the reaction mixture disappears. The ammonia is allowed to evaporate and 50 ml. of water are added. The diluted reaction mixture is extracted with an extraction solvent composed of equal amounts by volume of benzene and ether. The extract is dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue is crude 6a,9adifiuoro-11fl,l6a,17u-trihydroxy-4- pregnene -21-tetrahydropyranyloxy 3,20 dione 16a, 17 a-acetonide.

A solution of the crude 6tr,9ot-difluoro-115,1611,17oc-trlhydroxy-4 pregnene-21-tetrahydropyranyloxy-3,20 dione 16a,17oz-acetonide in 3 0 ml. of methanol containing 0.3 ml. of concentrated hydrochloric acid is kept at a temperature of 25 C. for minutes. Solid potassium bicarbonate is added in an amount suflicient to neutralize the reaction mixture and the neutralized reaction mixture is concentrated almost to dryness by distilling off the methanol under reduced pressure. 50 milliliters of Water are added to the residue and the mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract is Washed with saturated aqueous soduim chloride solution, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue of 6a,9a-difluoro-1lfi,16a,l7oc,2ltetrahydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione 16a,17 x-acetonide is crystallized from a solvent composed of 90% ether and 10% acetone. The product remaining in the mother liquor is purified by chromatography on silica gel plates using chloroform containing 2% methanol as a developing solvent. The band containing the product is removed from the silica gel plate and triturated with acetone. The acetone solution is filtered and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue of 6a,9a-difluoro-11/3,16a, 17a,21-tetrahydroxy 4 pregnene-3,20-dione 16a,17macetonide is crystallized from ether containing about 10% acetone.

EXAMPLE 3 6 m-methyl-9a-fluoro-1 1 8,16a,1 7a,21-tetrahydroxy-4- pregnene-3,20-di0ne :,1 7 a-acetonide A solution of 1 g. of 6u-methyl-9a-fluoro-11 3,16u,17 xtrihydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene 21 tetrahydropyranyloxy-3, ZO-dione 16a,17a-acetonide in 15 ml. of dry tetrahydrofuran is added to 80 ml. of liquid ammonia which is maintained at a temperature of from -40 C. to -50 C. The mixture is stirred and 10 mg. of lithium ribbon is,

added followed by the addition of a second mg. portion of lithium ribbon after 2 minutes. Three minutes after the addition of the second portion of lithium ribbon, granulated ammonium chloride is added until the blue color of the reaction mixture disappears. The ammonia is allowed to evaporate and 50 ml. of water are added. The diluted reaction mixture is extracted with an extraction solvent composed of equal amounts by volume of benzene and ether. The extract is dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue is crude 6u-methyl-9a-fluoro-11B, 1606,17ot-t1lhYdIOXY 4 pregnene-2l-tetrahydropyranyloxy-3,20-dione IMAM-acetonide.

A solution of the crude 6a-methy1-9a-fluoro-115,1601, 17a-trihydroxy 4 pregnene-Zl-tetrahydropyranyloxy- 3,20-dione 16a,17a-acetonide in 30 ml. of methanol containing 0.3 ml. of concentrated hydrochloric acid is kept at a temperature of 25 C. for 90 minutes. Solid potassium bicarbonate is added in an amount sufficient to neutralize the reaction mixture and the neutralized reaction mixture is concentrated almost to dryness by distilling off the methanol under reduced pressure. 50 milliliters of water are added to the residue and the mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract is washed with saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue of 6a-methyl 9 fluoro-llfl,l6a, 17u,2l-tetrahydroxy 4 pregnene-3,20-dione 160C,170tacetonide is crystallized from a solvent composed of 90% ether and 10% acetone. The product remaining in the mother liquor is purified by chromatography on silica gel plates using chloroform containing 2% methanol as a developing solvent. The 'band containing the product is removed from the silica gel plate and triturated with acetone. The acetone solution is filtered and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue of 60cmethyl 9a fiuoro-l1,8,16a,17,21-tetrahydroxy-4-pregnone-3,20-dione l6u,17a-acetonide is crystallized from ether containing about 10% acetone.

EXAMPLE 4 A solution of 1 g. of 16a,17a-dihydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene 21 tetrahydropyranyloxy-3,20-dione 16a,17ocacetonide in ml. of dry tetrahydrofuran is added to 80 ml. of liquid ammonia which is maintained at a temperature of from -40 C. to '50 C. The mixture is stirred and 10 mg. of lithium ribbon is added followed by the addition of a second 10 mg. portion of lithium ribbon after 2 minutes. Three minutes after the addition of the second portion of lithium ribbon, granulated ammonium chloride is added until the blue color of the reaction mixture disappears. The ammonia is allowed to evaporate and 50 ml. of water are added. The diluted reaction mixture is extracted with an extraction solvent composed of equal amounts by volume of benzene and ether. The extract is dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue is 16a,l7a-dihydroxy 4 pregnene-2l-tetrahydropyranyloxy-3,20-dione 16u,l7a-acetonide.

A solution of the crude 16a,17a-dihydroxy-4-pregnene- 21-tetrahydropyranyloxy 3,20 dione 16a,17a-acetonide in 30 ml. of methanol containing 0.3 ml. of concentrated hydrochloric acid is kept at a temperature of 25 C. for 90 minutes. Solid potassium bicarbonate is added in an amount sufiicient to neutralize the reaction mixture and the neutralized reaction mixture is concentrated almost to dryness by distilling oh the methanol under reduced pressure. 50 milliliters of water are added to the residue and the mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract is washed with saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue of 16a, 1706,21-t1'ihYdIOXY 4 pregnene-3,20-dione 16a,17a-acetonide is crystallized from a solvent composed of 90% ether and 10% acetone. The product remaining in the mother liquor is purified by chromatography on silica gel plates using chloroform containing 2% methanol as a developing solvent. The band containing the product is removed from the silica gel plate and triturated with acetone. The acetone solution is filtered and concentrated to drynms under reduced pressure. The residue of 16a,l7a, 21-trihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione 16a,l7a-acetonide is crystallized from ether containing about 10% acetone.

EXAMPLE 5 A solution of 1 g. of 6a-fluoro-l6a,l7a-dihydroxy-l,4- pregnadiene-Zl-tetrahydropyranyloxy-3,ZO-dione 1611,17- acetonide in 15 ml. of dry tetrahydrofuran is added to ml. of liquid ammonia which is maintained at a temperature of from 40 C. to 50 C. The mixture is stirred and 10 mg. of lithium ribbon is added followed by the addition of a second 10 mg. portion of lithium ribbon after 2 minutes. Three minutes after the addition of the second portion of lithium ribbon, granulated ammonium chloride is added until the blue color of the reaction mixture disappears. The ammonia is allowed to evaporate and 50 ml. of water are added. The diluted reaction mixture is extractad with an extraction solvent composed of equal amounts by volume of benzene and ether. The extract is dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue is crude 6OL-fiUOI'O-160t,170t-dlhyd1'OXy 4 pregnene-Zl-tetrahydropyranyloxy-3,20-dione l6a,17u-acetonide.

A solution of the crude 6u-iluoro-.16m,17a-dihydroxy-4- pregnene-Zl-tetrahydropyranyloxy 3,20 dione 1604,17ozacetonide in 30 ml. of methanol containing 0.3 ml. of concentrated hydrochloric acid is kept at a temperature of 25 C. for minutes. Solid potassium bicarbonate is added in an amount sufiicient to neutralize the reaction mixture and the neutralized reaction mixture is concentrated almost to dryness by distilling cit the methanol under reduced pressure. 50 milliliters of Water are added to the residue and the mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract is Washed with saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue of 6cc-flllGIO-16oc,17a,2l-tIihYdIOXY-4- pregnene-3,20-dione l6e,l7ot-acetonide is crystallized from a solvent composed of 90% ether and 10% acetone. The product remaining in the mother liquor is purified by chromatography on silica gel plates using chloroform containing 2% methanol as a developing solvent. The band containing the product is removed from the silica gel plate and triturated with acetone. The acetone solution is filtered and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue of 6u-fluoro-16a,l7a,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione e,].7oc-8C6t011id6 is crystallized from ether containing about 10% acetone.

EXAMPLE 6 6-methy l-] 6 0a,] 7 04,21 -trihydr0xy-4 -pregnene-3 ,ZO-dione 1 6 04,1 7 tat-acetonide A solution of 1 g. of 6a-methyl-16a,17a-dihydroxy-1,4- pregnadiene-Zl-tetrahydropyranyloxy-3,20-dione 16a,17aacetonide in 15 ml. of dry tetrahydrofuran is added to 80 ml. of liquid ammonia which is maintained at a temperature of from 40 C. to -50 C. The mixture is stirred and 10 mg. of lithium ribbon is added followed by the addition of a second 10 mg. portion of lithium ribbon after 2 minutes. Three minutes after the addition of the second portion of lithium ribbon, granulated ammonium chloride is added until the blue color of the reaction mixture disappears. The ammonia is allowed to evaporate and 50 ml. of Water are added. The diluted reaction mixture is extracted with an extraction solvent composed of equal amounts by volume of benzene and ether. The extract is dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue is crude oa-methyl-16a,l7ot-dihydroxy-4-pregnene 21 tetrahydropyranyloxy-3,20-dione 16a,17a-acetonide.

A solution of the crude 60t-II16lhyl-160:,170t-dihYd1'OXY- 4-pregnene-21-tetrahydropyranyloxy-3,20-dione 16u,17oc acetonide in 30 ml. of methanol containing 0.3 ml. of concentrated hydrochloric acid is kept at a temperature of 25 C. for 90 minutes. Solid potassium bicarbonate is added in an amount sufficient to neutralize the reaction mixture and the neutralized reaction mixture is concentrated almost to dryness by distilling off the methanol under reduced pressure. 50 milliliters of water are added to the residue and the mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract is washed with saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue of 6a-methyl-l6a,17a,2l-trihydroxy-4-pregnene- 3,20-dione l6ot,17oc-acetonide is crystallized from a solvent composed of 90% ether and 10% acetone. The product remaining in the mother liquor is purified by chromatography on silica gel plates using chloroform containing 2% .ethanol as a developing solvent. The band containing the product is removed from the silica gel plate and triturated with acetone. The acetone solution is filtered and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue of 6a-methyl-l6e,l7a,2l-trihydroxy-4-pregnene- 3,20-dione 16m,17a-acetonide is crystallized from ether containing about 10% acetone.

EXAMPLE 7 16a,]704,21-trihydr0xy-4-pregnems-3,11,20-tri0ne 16u,17m-acetonide A solution of 1 g. of 16a,17e-dihydroxy-1,4-pregnanadieneZl-tetrahydropyranyloxy 3,11,20-trione 160:,17aacetonide in ml. of dry tetrahydrofuran is added to 80 ml. of liquid ammonia which is maintained at a temperature of from -40 C. to -50 C. The mixture is stirred and 10 mg. of lithium ribbon is added followed by the addition of a second 10 mg. portion of lithium ribbon after 2 minutes. Three minutes after the addition of the second portion of lithium ribbon, granulated ammonium chloride is added until the blue color of the reaction mixture disappears. The ammonia is allowed to evaporate and 50 ml. of water are added. The diluted reaction mixture is extracted with an extraction solvent composed of equal amounts by volume of benzene and ether. The extract is dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue is crude 16a,17a-dihydroxy-4-pregnene-2l-tetrahydropyranyloxy-3,l 1,20-trione 16a,17a-acetonide.

A solution of the crude 16a,l7a-dihydroxy-4-pregnene 21-tetrahydropyranyloxy-3,11,20 trione 16a,17u-acetonide in ml. of methanol containing 013 ml. of concentrated hydrochloric acid is kept at a temperature of 25 C. for 90 minutes. Solid potassium bircarbonate is added in an amount sufficient to neutralize the reaction mixture and the neutralized reaction mixture is concentrated almost to dryness by distilling off the methanol under reduced pressure. 50 milliliters of water are added to the residue and the mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract is washed with saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue of 16a,17a,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,l1,20-trione l6oc,17a-ElC'EOI1id8 is crystallized from a solvent composed of 90% ether and 10% acetone. The product remaining in the mother liquor is purified by chromatography on silica gel plates using chloroform containing 2% methanol as a developing solvent. The band containing the product is removed from the silica gel plate and triturated with acetone. The acetone solution is filtered and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue of 16a,17a,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,11,20-trione 1600,170t-8C6l011id6 is crystallized from ether containing about 10% acetone.

EXAMPLE 8 A solution of 1 g. of 9ot-fluoro-l6a,17e-dihydroxy-1,4 pregnadiene 21 tetrahydropyranyloxy 3,11,20 trione 16a,17u-acetonide in 15 ml. of dry tetrahydrofuran is added to m1. of liquid ammonia which is maintained at a temperature of from 40 C. to 50 C. The mixture is stirred and 10 mg. of lithium ribbon is added followed by the addition of a second 10 mg. portion of lithium ribbon after 2 minutes. Three minutes after the addition of the second portion of lithium ribbon, granulated ammoniurn chloride is added until the blue color of the reaction mixture disappears. The ammonia is allowed to evaporate and 50 ml. of water are added. The diluted reaction mixture is extracted with an extraction solvent composed of equal amounts by volume of benzene and ether. The extract is dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue is crude 9a-fiuoro-16u,17a-dihydroxy- 4 pregnene 21 tetrahydropyranyloxy 3,11,20 trione 16a,17a-acetonide.

A solution of the crude 9u-fiuoro-l6a,17u-dihydroxy-4 pregnene 21 tetrahydropyranyloxy 3,11,20 trione 16a,17 x-acetonide in 20 ml. of methanol containing 0.3 ml. of concentrated hydrochloric acid is kept at a tem perature of 25 C. for minutes. Solid potassium bicarbonate is added in an amount sufi'icient to neutralize the reaction mixture and the neutralized reaction mixture is concentrated almost to dryness by distilling oi? the methanol under reduced pressure. 50 milliliters of water are added to the residue and the mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract is washed with saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue of 9u-fiuoro-l6u,17a,21-trihydroxy- 4-pregnene-3,11,20-trione C,l7(!-3Ct011id is crystallized from a solvent composed of 90% ether and 10% acetone. The product remaining in the mother liquor is purified by chromatography on silica gel plates using chloroform containing 2% methanol as a developing solvent. The band containing the product is removed from the silica gel plate and triturated with acetone. The acetone solution is filtered and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue of 90L-fil101'O-160,1706,21- trihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,l1,20-trione l6oc,l7a-acetonide is crystallized from ether containing about 10% acetone.

EXAMPLE 9 A solution of 1 g. of 6a,9a-difluoro-16a,17u-dihydr0xy- 1,4 pregnadiene 21 tetrahydropyranyloxy 3,11,20 trione 16a,17a-acet0nide in 15 ml. of dry tetrahydrofuran is added to 80 ml. of liquid ammonia which is maintained at a temperature of from -40 C. to -50 C. The mixture is stirred and 10 mg. of lithium ribbon is added followed by the addition of a second 10 mg. portion of lithium ribbon after 2 minutes. Three minutes after the addition of the second portion of lithium ribbon, grantilated ammonium chloride is added until the blue color of the reaction mixture disappears. The ammonia is allowed to evaporate and 50 ml. of water are added. The diluted reaction mixture is extracted with an extraction solvent composed of equal amounts by volume of benzene and ether. The extract is dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue is crude 6a,9 x-difiuoro-16u,17a-dihydroxy 4 pregnene 21 tetrahydropyranyloxy 3,11,20 trione l6oc,17oL-3.Ct0llid6.

A solution of the crude 6e,9a-difluoro-16a,l7a-dihydroxy 4 pregnene-Zl tetrahydropyranyloxy 3,11,20- trione 160L,170L-3C6t0l1ld6 in 30 ml. of methanol containing 0.3 ml. of concentrated hydrochloric acid is kept at a temperature of 25 C. for 90 minutes. Solid potassium bicarbonate is added in an amount suflicient to neutralize the reaction mixture and the neutralized reaction mixture is concentrated almost to dryness by distilling olf the methanol under reduced pressure. 50 milliliters of water are added to the residue and the mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract is washed with saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue of 6a,9a-difluorol6a,17 z,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,11,20-trione 16u,l7aacetonide is crystallized from a solvent composed of 90% ether and acetone. The product remaining in the mother liquor is purified by chromatography on silica gel plates using chloroform containing 2% methanol as a developing solvent. The band containing the product is removed from the silica gel plate and triturated with acetone. The acetone solution is filtered and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue of 6a,9a difluoro 1-6a,17oc,21 trihydroxy 4-pregnene- 3,11,20-trione l6a,17x-acetonide is crystallized from ether containing about 10% acetone.

EXAMPLE 10 6a-methyl-9a-flu0ro-16aJ 7a,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnene 3,11,20-tri0ne 1 6 0a,] 7 a-acetonide A solution of l g. of 6a-methyl-9a-fluoro-16u,17a-dihydroxy 1,4 pregnadiene 21 tetrahydropyranyloxy- 3,11,20-trione 16a,17a-acetonide in ml. of dry tetrahydrofuran is added to 80 ml. of liquid ammonia which is maintained at a temperature of from 40 C. to 50 C. The mixture is stirred and 10 mg. of lithium ribbon is added followed by the addition of a second 10 mg. portion of lithium ribbon after 2 minutes. Three minutes after the addition of the second portion of lithium ribbon, granulated ammonium chloride is added until the blue color of the reaction mixture disappears. The ammonia is allowed to evaporate and 50 ml. of Water are added. The diluted reaction mixture is extracted with an extraction solvent composed of equal amounts by volume of benzene and ether. The extract is dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue is 6u-methyl-9a-fluoro- 16a,l7a-dihydroxy-4-pregnene 21-tetrahydropyranyloxy- 3,11,20-trione 160:,l7oz-E1C6t011id6.

A solution of the crude 6a-methyl-9a-fluoro-l6oc,17adihydroxy-4-pregnene 21 tetrahydropyranyloxy-3,l1,20- trione l6a,l7 x-acetonide in 30 ml. of methanol containing 0.3 ml. of concentrated hydrochloric acid is kept at a temperature of 25 C. for 90 minutes. Solid potassium bicarbonate is added in an amount sufiicient to neutralize the reaction mixture and the neutralized reaction mixture is concentrated almost to dryness by distilling olf the methanol under reduced pressure. 50 milliliters of water are added to the residue and the mixture is ex tracted with ethyl acetate. The extracted is washed with saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue of 6a-methyl-9mfluoro-16a,17a,21 trihydroxy-4-pregnene 3,11,20-trione 16a,17a-8.C6't0nid6 is crystallized from a solvent composed of 90% ether and 10% acetone. The product remaining in the mother liquor is purified by chromatography on silica gel plates using chloroform containing 2% methanol as a developing solvent. The band containing the product is removed from the silica gel plate and triturated with acetone. The acetone solution is filtered and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue of 6a-methyl-9a-fluoro-l6a,l7a,2l-trihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,11,20-trione 1-6a,l7a-acetonide is crystallized from ether containing about 10% acetone. I

. 10 I claim: 1. A process for the preparation of a compound of the formula:

wherein X, Y, Z, P, and Q have the same significance as above, by adding a solution thereof in an organic solvent to liquid ammonia and adding lithium gradually to the liquid ammonia-steroid solution.

2. A process according to claim 1 in which X is hydrogen, Y is hydrogen, Z is ,B-hydroxy methylene, and P and Q are each methyl.

3. A process according to claim 1 in which X is hydrogen, Y is fluorine, Z is fi-hydroxy methylene, and P and Q are each methyl.

4. A process according to claim 1 in which X is hydrogen, Y is methyl, Z is ,B-hydroxy methylene, and P and Q are each methyl.

5. A process according to claim 1 in which X is fluorine, Y is fluorine, Z is fi-hydroxy methylene, and P and Q are each methyl.

6. A process according to claim 1 in which X is fluorine, Y is methyl, Z is fi-hydroxy methylene, and P and Q are each methyl.

7. A process according to claim 1 in which X is hydrogen, Y is hydrogen, Z is carbonyl, and P and Q are each methyl.

8. A process according to claim 1 in which X is hydrogen, Y is fluorine, Z is carbonyl, and P and Q are each methyl.

9. A process according to claim 1 in which X is hy- 1 1 1 2 drogen, Y is hydrogen, Z is methylene, and P and Q are OTHER REFERENCES each methyl Wilds et 31., J. Amer. Chem. 800., 75, 5366-5369 Refflences (1953 QB 1 A5 (page 5367 relied on).

UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 LEWIS GOTTS, Primary Examiner.

3,042,670 7/1962 Shapiro 6115.1. 260-239.55 v 3,116,304 12/1963 Taub Ct a1. 260397.45 T-MESHBESHERAss'smmExamme 

1. A PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF A COMPOUND OF THE FORMULA: 